Nantwich Words & Music Festival announces first Headlining Acts

Celebrated alt folk band Stornoway and Sex Pistols songwriter Glen Matlock are among other famous names making their way to Nantwich between October 10 and 16.

Internationally acclaimed Nantwich resident Thea Gilmore is appearing again and many more acts expected to be announced this month, Words And Music has cemented its upward trajectory and it's presence on the UK festival calendar.

The annual event draws musicians and poets from across the world to the Cheshire Market Town, many of them to perform at intimate venues close to the heart of the Nantwich community.

Further acts will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets already on sale for four shows.

Dr John Cooper Clarke - an iconic poet and regular guest on top TV panel shows - plays sell-out venues around the world and will be performing at the Civic Hall on Saturday 15th October.

Words & Music Festival is organised by producer, musician and singer/songwriter Nigel Stonier alongside internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore and a team of Nantwich-based volunteers.

Nigel Stonier said: “We started as a weekend event with just three shows back in 2008. Now we're running for a week, and Nantwich as a town has given us a repeated ‘thumbs up’.

“Most of our shows are sell-outs, and we're very happy that every year visitors from further afield come and enjoy the shows and discover the town. Audience members have previously travelled from Japan, Norway, Germany, France as well as from all over the UK.

“Tickets have been on sale for less than two weeks and are selling really strongly. We are excited by this year's line-up of headlining acts and we'll announce more events - both ticketed and free - very shortly."

Support from venues across the town allows acts to be presented in suitable settings. Eddi Reader will sing in beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 11th October, after a stunning performance from Barbara Dickson in this venue last year.

The Crown Hotel, The Railway Hotel, Enzo and Bloom are among the other venues for the remaining acts that will be announced in the coming weeks.